Show 60: Immunizations in Alaska & Around the World

THE PRACTICE OF routine vaccination has rid the world of small pox and nearly eradicated polio and has greatly reduced the incidence of many infectious diseases like pertussis and measles especially among some of our most vulnerable – our children.   

So this time on Kids These Days! we're learning about immunizations and vaccines and the many diseases they protect against. We'll also take a look at some of the concerns parents have and where we can all learn more information in order to make an informed decision when it comes to keeping our kids well. 

IN-STUDIO GUESTS: Joining host Shana Sheehy in the studio are two guests -

Dr. Tom Nighswander is Clinical Dean of the Alaska WWAMI Program and has been at the Alaska Native Medical Center since 1972. He and his wife Ruth, a nurse mentor for the Anchorage School District, have made annual visits to the sub-Saharan country of Malawi for the last 14 years working at the Malawi Children's Village and HIV/AIDS orphan program.

Laurel Wood was Immunization Program Manager for the Alaska Division of Public Health for 16 years. In that role she worked to coordinate statewide Immunization Program activities including vaccine distribution, coordination of Alaska’s immunization information system, monitoring of school and child care facility immunization requirements, and presentation of general immunization education. She is the former Chair of the national Association of Immunization Managers. Currently she is working part-time as the Coordinator for Public Health with the Immunization Action Coalition.

RESOURCES FROM THIS PROGRAM:

• Alaska State Immunize Helpline: 888-430-4321
• Alaska Childcare/School Immunization Requirements
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Recommended Vaccination Schedules
• National Network for Immunization Information
• State of Alaska vaccination statistics, reports
• National Vaccine Information Center - "Vaccine Watchdog" group
• Vaccine.CHOP.edu - FAQ, facts on vaccines and their ingredients from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
• Malawi Children's Village
• PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative

FEATURED STORIES:  

- Rural Alaska Immunization Rates - Overall, Alaska’s rates of immunizations are low; we rank 49th in the country for percentage of 2-year olds who have completed the recommended vaccine series. But among Alaska Natives the rates are around 80%, above the national average. Contributor Jessica Cochran spoke with some rural health care providers to learn more.

- Malaria Vaccine Initiative - In Africa malaria takes the life of a child every 45 seconds, but a new vaccine - hailed as one of Time Magazine's Top Ten Medical Breakthroughs of 2011 - is showing encouraging initial results. The RTS,S vaccine has reduced the rates of malaria by approximately half in children ages five to seventeen months. Producer Sarah Gonzales spoke to David Poland from the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative.

- Power of One: Sudan Solar Suitcases - We meet one high school teacher who recently helped students learn a lot about the science of solar power as well as the power of giving when he helped a group of students build "solar suitcases" - portable power supplies that will benefit off-the-grid medical clinics.